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  • Cocktail Class 4: Holiday Entertaining

    The other day, I received a box in the mail. It was from Kaplifestyle’s superstar editor, Stephanie. I’m generally opposed to gifts on holidays. I prefer the art of giving whenever the mood strikes, but that’s a philosophical post for another day. Steph’s was a present of my favorite variety, homemade. In the box were…

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  • Social Media Benefits for Athletes

    Social media can be a powerful tool in baseball player’s arsenal or a drag on his public image. We’re all aware of the dramatized horror stories surrounding social media and celebrities. They are not indicative of the norm. We all make poor decisions, and social media certainly provides a stage where they can be spotlighted. Instead of adversely reacting…

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  • Indoor Grills

    Fucking George Foreman. I thought he’d never get me, but he’s all jolly and lovable and stuff. I admit my snobbery. I hated electric grills. In the same way I swore I wouldn’t drink instant coffee, I promised myself I’d always grill outdoors. Now? I’m in my robe on a Friday night at my kitchen…

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  • Food Synergy

    I’m often asked what food should be eaten prior to competition for fuel, consumed prior to bed to burn fat or to assist in getting a good night’s sleep. While there are certainly individual choices that are better than others, the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Synergy is defined as the interaction…

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  • No Lo Entiendo

    Ask most folks if they speak Spanish (or any other foreign language), and you might hear them say, “I understand more than I speak.” I’ve always called bullshit. Before now, that usually expressed to me one of two things. Either they speak more than they understand, or they speak and understand very little. This occurred…

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  • Food Synergy

    I’m often asked what food should be eaten prior to competition for fuel, consumed prior to bed to burn fat or to assist in getting a good night’s sleep. While there are certainly individual choices that are better than others, the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Synergy is defined as the interaction…

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  • Winter Squashes

    A few weeks back, I posted about replacing your vitamin C bottles with berries. If you’re looking for an added layer of protection against illness in the dead of winter, grab some squash, too. From whfoods.com: Winter squash is one of the richest sources of plant based anti-inflammatory nutrients such as omega 3s and beta-carotene,…

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  • Protein Without Meat

    Warning! I’m going to be playful in this post. If you’re feeling sensitive, go read another washed up athlete’s blog. From Norah Jones: It’s him or me that’s what he said, But I can’t choose between a vegan and a pot head, So I chose you because you’re sweet, And you give me lots of…

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  • Resilience and Attitude – Justin Viele [Guest Post]

    We’ve all been fired. We know what it feels like to have our boss tell us we suck. Most folks can’t comprehend, however, the feeling of having our childhood dreams snatched from our clutch. That’s what happens to a minor league player when he is released for the first (or last) time.  Baseball is all…

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  • Body Language and Leadership

    If you’re a leader of men and women looking for an easy way to improve your skills, examine your non-verbal communication. Elevating your body language can change the way your group responds to you and positively impact team performance. My 9th grader just completed his first start as his JV high school football team’s QB.…

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I aim to plan and consciously choose all of my indulgences. I have the knowledge and willpower to do so, but occasionally, I will have a substantial misfire.

I was in Boston, my home away from home, for the 2004 World Series reunion. I splurged nutritionally as I had intended, but I didn’t map out my large nutritional stumble while watching the game.

I had it all pre-navigated. My two men (12 and 14) and I love to experience travel through food. We think it’s the most efficient and interesting way to explore the culture of a city. We discussed the trip ahead of time and decided on three restaurants where we would fully indulge and eat like kings. We’d start with the team dinner at a fine steak and seafood house, follow it up with breakfast the next morning at a bakery, and finish it out with lunch at a tapas joint in the South End.

The first night the three of us shared bone in filets, swordfish steaks, oysters, giant shrimp, crab cakes, lamb chops, chocolate cake, apple crisps and cold vanilla ice cream. I enjoyed a few glasses of whiskey, neat, and my boys drank Sprite. We left the restaurant 1 for 1. Remember, this indulgence was planned.

The next morning, we went to a bakery suggested by a Boston-based chef friend. The boys picked up scones and French toast; I scored big with a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich on a crusty roll with spinach and tomato. The bite came complete with a Dijon mustard finish that struck a chord with me, managing to last all day. 2 at bats, 2 knocks.

After mobbing around on the T train all morning, making our way to Harvard and back to Downtown Crossing, we landed at our destination for lunch, Toro. Theo Epstein made the recommendation after I mentioned that my boys and I were on a food adventure. This is the guy who went out to get the “washed up” 2002 version of David Ortiz, so he’s proven his scouting mettle. If he thinks it’s a worthwhile trip, I’ll take his advice.

Back to food.

Rather than turn this post into a restaurant review, I’ll keep it simple. I had an out of body experience. Every small plate that arrived was visually captivating and stunning on the palate. We sprinted the gamut. From spicy curry beef empanadas to cauliflower with golden raisins and pine nuts to the pièce de résistance, roasted bone marrow with radish citrus salad and oxtail marmalade. This dish, holy fuck. Our waiter described it exquisitely as “like rich, hot, beef flavored butter.” I was now 3 for 3 and ready for my final at bat.

A theme throughout this entire trip was advance planning. My first mistake was not preparing for this final meal. I figured my boys and I would just eat at the ballpark and didn’t put much thought into it. I knew that the options would be plentiful and come in large quantities. I wasn’t necessarily wrong, but I quickly got off course.

I was running around at Fenway from this place to that, answering questions and meeting folks. My boys were on their own and already up in the suite by the time I arrived around the start of the first inning. They had eaten pizza, snacks and fruit, totally what I expected for them. I walked in starving, my second mistake.  I reached for a plate and piled on decent looking veggies, a huge mound of guacamole, and the only available protein, stale fried chicken strips. I could have reached into my bag and opened a can of wild caught salmon. I didn’t. My defenses were down. I hadn’t snacked. I ingested that garbage and suffered strike one.

You know my stance on processed foods. Those frozen chunks of flour covered meat product provide little nutritional value. I had already experienced a whirlwind day filled with emotion and exertion, and the pizza under the heat lamp began to look lovely.

I advocate indulgence, but I advocate planned, quality indulgence. This was neither. I scarfed down a piece and the drugs hit my bloodstream. I couldn’t chew fast enough. Strike two.

The final pitch of the at bat came in and I chased it. I scarfed down a few more slices, knowing even as I did so that it wasn’t my finest hour.

3 for 4. In baseball that’s a hell of a day. Nutritionally, I expect 4 for 4s from myself almost always. I’m in control, so the high bar is appropriately set. Rather than dwell on it, I’ll do what Manny tells us to do after a rough at bat. “Turn the page, papi.”

I write this from the plane the following morning. I’ve turned the page. Today, I’ve ingested steel cut oats, fresh organic blueberries, a pile of kale, a chunk of a ham steak, a few fresh scrambled eggs and organic black coffee.

In my bag, I have a large salad with tons of fresh veggies, almonds, chicken, organic Hannah yams. I also still have that wild salmon I passed over for pizza in a box.

I’m back on track. I remember last night’s at bat and will make the adjustment without carrying the emotion of yesterday over into today’s game.

I hope you’ll share your stories of strikeouts or home runs in the comments section below.

Kap